More July

This is our first zone meeting with President and Sister Robinson.

One day we were trying to get to Zeist to pick up Quincy for a baptism session at the temple. Traffic was terrible and after 2 hours we gave up. Then we saw that the freeway home was stopped and people were out of thier cars talking. We decided to go cross country. It was a beautiful day.

This is Meerkerk which I thought would mean' more church' but when we arrived we realized it meant 'lake church'.

We were treated to a running windmill while on this country drive.

We had to visit Sister Herring and Nielson while the wall of their apartment was being fixed. The neighbors punched a hole through their wall.

This is Sister Tanner and Gallego putting cherries on sugar cookies for Sister Everton.

We went for a bicycle ride in the country South of Rotterdam with the Andersons. The weather was perfect and the clouds were beautiful.



Part of the bike path went along the river.



We also rode by a small castle in Rhoon.

We surprised Alma at his work on his birthday with homemade Oreo cookies.

Our district visited Den Bosch to take the river boat tour.

We also visited St. John's Cathedral with its beautiful stained glass.

After the missionaries purchased Den Bosch balls which are about the size of a baseball and are chocolate covered with a think whipped cream filling. Hard to describe the taste but it is very rich.

The sisters were game too.

We were leaving Gouda and notice this line of boats with girls riding with camping gear.

There was another line with boys. They must have been going to a camp on a lake somewhere.

We were installing window screens at the Den Haag Elder's apartment. The missionaries often ask what they can do for us. This time Elder Mohrman (pronounced 'Mormon' in the middle) insisted on cooking for us. He made a tasty batch of Surinamese noodles. Elder van Komen is his companion.

Our visit to Kortrijk on Sunday: The Branch President's wife comes up talking 200 KM per hour about her husband's son. She has a think accent from the region which I can hardly keep up with. Her husband was divorced 20 years ago. His son was 6 at the time and he had not spoken to him since. His X-wife had told his son that his father was an alcoholic and other bad things. Finally his son made contact - totally unexpected. He came to church last week and felt the spirit during the meeting. I cannot even attempt to describe his father's happiness. The son was baptized a few weeks after this picture.



We go to investigators class with the Branch President and his son. The class is delayed while Elder McCarlie goes to invite another group of investigators to the class. The group turns out to be the 19 year old daughter Sarah (next to Sister Everton) of a member of 2 years and her 3 friends. One of the friends had investigated two years ago but had problems with smoking. So five investigators in this small branch. None were expected.

Sacrament meeting was last. During the break, I gave Sarah and her friends some of Sister Everton's home made Oreo's in between meetings. They were outside. Some where smoking. Teenage smoking is a national tragedy in Europe. After the meeting Sarah came up to Sister Everton and said they were the best ever and she wanted the recipe. Instant bond - hugs etc. Everyone loves Sister Everton.



We had dinner in Woerden with brother van Spanjerberg and Sister Jones and Schwab. He has the sisters put on aprons and cook the meal so they can learn to cook.

He taught Sister Everton how to make this salad.

Antwerpen Outing



We were invited to Antwerpen for lunch and a guided tour of the city by Brother and Sister Boegaerts. They support the YSA program in Antwerpen.

 

The Anjewierdens, Van Komens, Andersons, Boegaerts, Pankratzs, de Leeuws and Evertons

This sculpture of Christ in the cathedral was very impressive.

This is the dome of the cathedral with a painting by Rubens in the center.

The weather was perfect. It is not often that you have no clouds.

This is our favorite restaurant. Great Italian food at very reasonable prices.

This is a sculpture of Rubin who seems to be the favorite Belgium artist.

The Island of Texel

We went to the island Texel (pronounced Tessel) with the senior couples. On the way to the ferry in Den Helder we took a side road to enjoy the beautiful country side. I took 10 pictures of this windmill. The lighting was constantly changing. One turned out perfect.

This is a farm house. On the horizon is a dike that is maybe 30 or 40 feet high which protects the land from the North Sea.

This is an Art Galery in Oudeschild, our first stop on the Island.

The sheep are strange looking on Texel. It might be a special strain. This is a ram which might look strange anyway.

This is our group walking down the steps of the dike.

Some of the homes were not so netjes (neat, tidy, proper) but still charming.

This is the harbor in Oudeschild.

We were treated to fresh smoked fish which was very tasty. This is Elder van Komen and Elder and Zuster Anderson.

President and Sister Robinson and Elder and Zuster Salden.

 

This is the youngest couple in the group. Elder and Zuster Salden. Notice thier feet are off the ground.



This is the beach by de Koog. Pretty close to heaven.

This is the light house on the northern tip of Texel.

153 steps up and this is the view to the north. You can see the island of Vlieland.



Church in Oosterend



We had a wonderful dinner which included fresh sea bass.

Back to the ferry. There are three levels of cars and trucks.



This is what the ferry looks like. It takes about 20 minutes to travel to Texel.



More June



Dordrecht had a Steam day where steam powered boats and other contraptions were on display. We had a busy day but got there near the end in the evening. It was beautiful time to be in the old city by the water.



The hot air balloon came by at a low altitude. Notice the old roof lines.

 

Stacy's (middle) parents were in Ghana for a month. We invited her and her friend Barbara over for dinner with the sisters. We ended with peach cobbler.




We had a final dinner with the Brubakers and the other senior missionaries.



We went to Alkmaar with the senior missionaries. One of the YSA sisters gave us a tour of the city. The cheese market is very touristy but fun.



The buidling behind the market dates back to the 1200's.



The Europe cup started in June. Everyone was crazy. This is Stacy and Barbara's street. The Netherlands lost in the first round after 3 games.

We visited Elder Burton on his birthday in the Hoagvliet apartment. Missionaries love to be remembered on thier birthdays.

This is our friend from Vietnam. He is living his dream - owning his own restaurant. He has great Surinamese food. I wish he would serve Vietnamese but he says the Nederlanders don't like it..

Our Iraqi neighbors brought us treats. They have 6 kids in a 2 bedroom apartment. We gave them a bunk bed that the missionaries did not need. We have found they will take about anything we would take to the second hand store.



We found time for a bike ride on a Sunday Night. There was no wind. The country side was beautiful.



There was a special mission conference for the whole mission prior to the departure of the Brubakers. There was a special panel of senior missionaries. The young missionaries could ask them any question. We avoided answering any of the questions until they asked us directly how to get along with your companion. Sister Everton told about how I said the hardest thing about the mission was being with her 7 by 24. I think that will be a memorable moment for the missionaries.

The beautiful Sister missionaries.

This is the Belgium/Netherlands Mission just prior to the departure of President and Sister Brubaker.